Does Troy Aikman know something we don’t know?
The ex-NFL QB and “Monday Night Football” analyst lauded a second-quarter play by Chiefs star Travis Kelce against the Saints — while ESPN cameras showed girlfriend and pop megastar Taylor Swift celebrating in a suite at Arrowhead Stadium.
“The Mrs. likes it,” Aikman told viewers.
Taylor Swift is seen in attendance during a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the New Orleans Saints. Getty Images
“You know they’re not married?” his parter Joe Buck quickly responded.
“Oh I know,” Aikman told him. “I’m sure I’m in trouble for saying that.”
While rumors of Kelce and Swift’s relationship status graduating to engaged or even secretly married have run rampant since they became an item publicly last year, there has been no concrete evidence they have moved beyond boyfriend-girlfriend.
Kelce and the Chiefs ended the first half with a 16-7 lead over New Orleans — with the tight end putting together his best game of the season on eight receptions for 67 yards.
Joe Buck (r.) and Troy Aikman (l.) during the “Monday Night Football” postgame show on Sept. 16, 2024. ESPN
Things were not any less awkward on ESPN’s alternative “Manningcast” broadcast, in which Peyton and Eli Manning chuckled their way through Swift being shown alongside coaching legend Bill Belichick.
Perhaps it’s Swift’s return to Kansas City — she missed Kelce’s last two games, both on the road — inspiring the three-time Super Bowl-winner’s emergence, though he has plenty of support on hand with brother Jason Kelce part of ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” broadcast team.
Entering Monday, he’d posted just 158 yards on 15 catches as the Chiefs reeled off four straight wins to start the season.
Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up prior to a game against the New Orleans Saints. Getty Images
“I’ve had a lot of catches in this league, man, I’m not worried about the catches and the yards, and all of that, I have the most fun when I get the ball thrown my way, I mean, who doesn’t?” Kelce said on the Sept. 25 installment of the “New Heights” podcast he cohosts with Jason.
“It has everything to do with execution and just making sure we’re doing everything we can to win these football games, that’s always going to be the goal.”